Foldable cart platform and basket combination

ABSTRACT

An apparatus ( 10 ) for transporting items includes a platform section ( 14 ) dimensioned to support an item, a basket section ( 12 ) having a plurality of basket walls ( 18, 20, 22, 24 ) adapted to transition between an operative condition defining an internal receiving area for accommodating an item, and a folded inoperative condition, and a handle section ( 16 ) operatively connected to the basket section ( 12 ). The handle section ( 16 ) is adapted to transition between a first condition corresponding to the operative condition of the basket section ( 12 ) and a second condition corresponding to the folded inoperative condition of the basket section ( 12 ). The apparatus ( 10 ) further includes at least one forward wheel ( 46 ) to facilitate transport when the basket is in the operative condition and at least one rear wheel ( 54 ). The platform section ( 14 ) also may be adapted to transition between a stored condition and a platform support condition to support the item.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/312,919, filed Mar. 11, 2010.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a transport apparatus and, more particularly, to a foldable and/or convertible transport apparatus adapted to transport items including groceries, luggage or the like.

2. Background of the Related Art

Various designs exist and are commonly known for foldable basket-style carts that are typically used for grocery shopping and for transporting small items. Also commonly known are foldable hand-truck style carts, commonly referred to as luggage carts and used for transporting suitcases, brief cases, small boxes and other items.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a foldable cart that combines both aspects of known basket-style carts and luggage carts. Specifically, the apparatus may be capable of transitioning between a basket cart mode having a basket for storing items and a luggage cart mode where the basket is folded and a luggage support is utilized to convey luggage or large baggage. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for transporting items includes a platform section dimensioned to support an item, a basket section having a plurality of basket walls adapted to transition between an operative condition defining an internal receiving area for accommodating an item, and a folded inoperative condition, and a handle section operatively connected to the basket section. The apparatus further includes at least one forward wheel to facilitate transport when the basket is in the operative condition and at least one rear wheel. The platform section also may be adapted to transition between a stored condition and a platform support condition to support the item wherein in the supporting condition the platform section is arranged to support the item.

In one embodiment, the basket wall members include front and rear wall members and a pair of side wall members extending between the front and rear members. The side walls are foldably connected relative to the rear wall, and fold to assume the folded inoperative condition. Each side wall may include a plurality of individual side or rod elements. The individual side elements may be adapted to fold relative to the rear wall to cause the side walls to assume the folded inoperative condition. The individual side elements may be adapted to pivot relative to the rear wall.

A lock associated may be associated with the rear wall. The lock is dimensioned and adapted for releasably securing the basket section in the folded inoperative condition. The lock may be dimensioned to operatively connect the rear wall and the front wall when the basket section is in the folded inoperative condition.

The handle section may include first and second handle elements. The first and second handle elements may be operatively connected to the side walls of the basket section. Each handle element may support a forward wheel. First and second rear wheels may be operatively connected to one of the basket section and the platform section. The handle section may be adapted to transition between a first condition corresponding to the operative condition of the basket section and a second condition corresponding to the folded inoperative condition of the basket section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described hereinbelow with references to the drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1-2 are perspective views of the transport apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present invention illustrating the platform section and the basket section with the basket section in the operative condition for accommodating goods or items;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the transport apparatus illustrating the basket section in the folded inoperative condition and the platform section in the supportive condition for supporting an item such as luggage;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged isolated view of the area of detail of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 an enlarged isolated view of the area of detail of FIG. 3 illustrating the lock for securing the walls of the basket section in the folded inoperative condition;

FIG. 6 is a side plan view illustrating the lock engaging select individual rod elements of the front and rear walls of the basket section; and

FIGS. 7-11 are views illustrating a sequence of steps illustrating transition of the transport apparatus from the operative open and supporting conditions of the basket section and platform section, respectively, to the folded inoperative and stored conditions thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar components throughout the several views, FIGS. 1-3 illustrate the transport apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Transport apparatus 10 is adapted to transition or convert between a device suitable for carrying groceries, goods, etc., in a basket-type arrangement as depicted in FIGS. 1-2, and a device suitable to transport boxes or small luggage, in a hand truck arrangement, as depicted in FIG. 3. Apparatus 10 is further adapted to fold to assume a stored condition.

With reference to FIGS. 1-2, apparatus 10 includes basket section 12, platform section 14 disposed beneath the basket section 12 and handle section 16 which is operatively connected to the basket section 12. Basket section 12 includes a plurality of interconnected walls, specifically, base or bottom wall 18, front and rear walls 20, 22, and side walls 24 extending between, and connecting, the front and rear walls 20, 22. Base, front and side walls 18, 20 and 24 are adapted to move or fold upon each other to assume the collapsed or folded inoperative condition of basket section 12 as depicted in FIG. 3. Basket section 12 further includes front and rear frames 26, 28 connected to base, front and rear walls 18, 20, 22. Front and rear frames 26, 28 may be generally U-shaped including respective horizontal segments 26 h, 28 h and vertical segments 26 v, 28 v depending from opposed ends of the horizontal segments 26 h, 28 h. Rear frame 28 may further include oblique lower end segments 28 l (FIG. 1) depending obliquely relative to vertical segments 28 v. Front and rear frames 26, 28 may include tubular elements or piping and may be manufactured from a suitable metallic or metal material.

Base, front and rear walls 18, 20, 22 each includes a plurality of inner rod elements 30 arranged in a criss-cross and orthogonal manner to define a mesh arrangement. The upper ends of the rod elements 30 of the front and rear walls 20, 22 are connected to respective horizontal segments 26 h, 28 h of front and rear frames 26, 28, and the lower ends are connected to lower rod elements 30 of the front and rear walls 20, 22. Any means for connecting rod elements 30 are envisioned including with the use of fasteners, screws, welding or the like. In one embodiment, the upper ends of wire elements 30 are received within corresponding apertures within the horizontal segments 26 h, 28 h of the frames 26, 28.

Side walls 24 may comprise a plurality of horizontal rod elements 30 with respect to FIGS. 1-2 and are connected at their respective ends to front and rear frames 26, 28 of basket 12. The ends of rod elements 30 may be connected to vertical segments 26 v, 28 v of front and rear frames 26, 28 in a manner where the rod elements 30 pivot relative to the respective frames 26, 28. Any means for permitting pivotal movement are envisioned, including, but, not limited to, screw and nut means, pins or the like. In one embodiment, the longitudinal ends of wire elements 30 incorporate mounting segments 32 (FIG. 4) projecting radially inwardly to be received within correspondingly dimensioned apertures within vertical segments 26 v, 28 v of front and rear frames 26, 28. The mounting segments 32 may rotate within the apertures of front and rear frames 26, 28.

With reference to FIG. 2, in conjunction with FIG. 4, a pair of outer side support members 34 extends between the front and rear frames 26, 28 adjacent the periphery of base wall 18. The outer side support members 34 include opposed forward and rear arcuate end regions 36, 38 defining apertures. The forward arcuate end regions 36 of each support member 34 accommodate the ends of the lowest rod member 30 of the front wall 20. The rear arcuate region 38 accommodate the ends of the rear most rod member 30 of the base wall 18. The arcuate regions 36, 38 permit relative rotational or pivotal movement of the respective rod members 30 and the arcuate regions 36, 38 during movement between the operative and inoperative condition of the basket section 12 as will be discussed.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-2, handle section 16 includes handle bar 40 extending across basket section 12 and a pair of elongated handle elements 42 depending from opposed ends of the handle bar 40. Handle bar 40 may include a padded or conformable surface dimensioned for engagement by the user. Elongated handle elements 42 are pivotally connected to the upper rod element 30 of side walls 24. Any of the aforementioned means for effecting the pivotal connection are envisioned. In one embodiment, pivot pins 44 are utilized to connect and permit pivotal or rotational movement about the pins. A front control wheel or roller 46 is mounted to each lower end of handle elements 42. Rollers 46 are multidirectional and may pivot about a vertical axis to permit maneuvering of the apparatus 10.

As best seen in FIGS. 2-4, a rectangular support bracket 48 is disposed beneath base wall 12. Support bracket 48 includes side beams 50 and cross beams 52 extending between the side beams 50 and beneath base wall 18. The front most cross beam 52 is connected to handle elements 42 with screw threads, nuts, pins or the like (FIG. 3). The rear most cross beam 52 is connected to the base wall 18 with screws or the like (see FIG. 4). Support bracket 48 provides support for base wall 18 during use.

With reference to FIG. 4, rear wheels 54 are mounted to rear frame 28 through axle rod 56 which extends between the oblique end segments 28 l of the frame 28. A bar-like stopper 58 also extends between and is connected to oblique end segments 28 l of rear frame 54 adjacent axle rod 56. Stopper 58 stabilizes platform section 14 as will be discussed.

As best depicted in FIG. 4, platform section 14 defines a generally L-shape in plan view having front bar 60, opposed side bars 62 extending from the front bar 60, vertical bars 64 depending upwardly from the opposed side bars 62 and rear support bar 66 adjacent the lower surface of base wall 18 (see also FIG. 3). Platform section 14 is connected to rear frame 28 with a rod 68 or the like extending through the opposed vertical segments 28 v of rear frame 28, and rear support bar 66. Platform section 14 may pivot relative to rear frame 28 about axel rod 68. Platform section 14 further includes support bars 70 extending between side bars 62 for supporting the luggage or large box. Vertical bars 64 contact stopper bar 58 mounted to rear frame 28 to position platform section 14 at a desired orientation for moving the luggage.

With reference to FIGS. 4-6, apparatus 10 further includes a lock 72 which is securable to rear wall 28 and/or front wall 26. Lock 72 may define an element having opposed arcuate openings 74 connected through a bridge 76. Arcuate openings 74 operatively engage rod elements 30 on each of the front and rear walls 26, 28 to retain the walls 26, 28 in juxtaposed relation as shown in FIG. 3. Other lock arrangements are also envisioned including hooks, clamps or the like. Releasable engagement may be achieved through a snap or frictional fit between the components.

FIGS. 7-11 illustrate use of the apparatus 10. In FIG. 7, apparatus 10 includes basket section 12 in the operative condition to receive goods, groceries or the like. Platform section 14 may also be utilized for support of other items. FIG. 8 illustrates the first step in converting apparatus 10 to the hand truck capability. As shown, front wall 26 is lifted in the vertical direction of arrow “m” which causes base wall 18 and front wall 26 to pivot through the provision of arcuate regions 36, 38 of side support members 34 with respective rod members 30 of these components as discussed hereinbelow. Front wall 26 is continued to be displaced toward the position depicted in FIG. 9. During such movement, handle section 16 pivots about pivot pins 44 mounted to side walls 24 to assume a vertical position depicted in FIG. 10.

FIG. 10 illustrates apparatus 10 with basket in the folded inoperative condition and platform section 14 in the condition for transporting larger items or luggage. In this position, lock element 72 is secured to respective rod elements 30 of front and rear walls 26, 28 to secure the basket section 14 in the folded inoperative condition. Apparatus 10 may then be used as a hand truck with luggage or the like loaded on platform section 14. Upon completion of use, platform section 14 may be pivoted upwardly about axle 68 to assume the stored condition of FIG. 11.

Although the illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, the above description, disclosure, and figures should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. It is to be understood, therefore, that the disclosure is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. 

1. An apparatus for transporting items, which comprises: a platform section dimensioned to support an item; a basket section including a plurality of basket walls adapted to transition between an operative condition defining an internal receiving area for accommodating an item, and a folded inoperative condition; and a handle section operatively connected to the basket section; at least one forward wheel to facilitate transport when the basket is in the operative condition; and at least one rear wheel.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the platform section is adapted to transition between a stored condition and a supporting condition wherein in the supporting condition the platform section is arranged to support the item.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the basket wall members include front and rear wall members and a pair of side wall members extending between the front and rear members.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the side walls are foldably connected relative to the rear wall, and fold relative to the rear wall to assume the folded inoperative condition.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein each side wall includes a plurality of individual side elements, the individual side elements adapted to fold relative to the rear wall to cause the side walls to assume the folded inoperative condition.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the individual side elements are adapted to pivot relative to the rear wall.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 5 including a lock associated with the rear wall, the lock dimensioned and adapted for releasably securing the basket section in the folded inoperative condition.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the lock is dimensioned to operatively connect the rear wall and the front wall when the basket section is in the folded condition.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the handle section includes first and second handle elements, the first and second handle elements operatively connected to the side walls of the basket section, each handle element having a forward wheel.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 9 including first and second rear wheels operatively connected to one of the basket section and the platform section.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the handle section is adapted to transition between a first condition corresponding to the operative condition of the basket section and a second condition corresponding to the folded inoperative condition of the basket section; 